Kangaroos keen for early Wells return

North Melbourne is hopeful midfield star Daniel Wells will return from a calf strain for Sunday's match with Fremantle at Docklands.

The sixth-placed Kangaroos should play finals regardless of the result, but coach Brad Scott says Wells will not be given an extra week off if he is fit to play.

"Everyone knows we're a better side with Daniel Wells in it and we're really keen for him to come back in," he said.

"We're certainly not treating this game as one where we'll rest him.

"If he's right to play, we'll play him.

"We'll give him as long as we possibly can."

Scott says Wells' explosive pace and agility will be valuable against a side with the fanatical defensive focus of the Dockers.

But he says winning the contested ball will be the encounter's most important aspect.

Scott says the Dockers' grinding style will make the clash another good finals rehearsal for the Kangaroos, who have won nine of their past 10 matches and are set to play finals football for the first time since 2007.

"Fremantle at the moment are playing footy that I think is worthy of a top-four standing, so they're going to be a real challenge," he said.

"You can say it's at Etihad (Docklands), but they've put that one away as well because they've played well at Etihad this year and they're going to be a great challenge."

The Dockers will be boosted by the news that Ryan Crowley has signed a two-year extension to his contract which was set to run out at the end of the season.